History was
made this week with PGA TOUR Caddies wearing shorts at the
John Deere Classic for a first time policy change in the PGA
TOURs 83-year history. This is the first week of a three-week
test program that will be reviewed by the PGA TOUR. More important
the quality of life for caddies was improved and working conditions
upgraded. The PCA Worldwide.com and all its members want to
thank the PGA TOUR and the PGA TOUR Tournament Directors for
its commitment of improve the life of caddies on TOUR. But
it is not only about shorts -------Please read on to get the
inside from the PCA. The PCAWorldwide.com Caddies would value
your thoughts.

History:
At the 1997 PGA Directors meeting on Hilton Head the PCA
Worldwide.com had the first caddie association booth and
introduced the PCA Worldwide.com Cooling Stations similar
to the ones used on the sidelines by the NFL to be available
to the players, caddies and volunteers at drink stations
on the tee. This information was mailed out throughout the
year and the PCA has lobbied for changes in other areas
when the heat index reaches above 98 degrees. During the
1998 PGA TOUR Tournaments Association meeting PCA Worldwide.com
was able to deliver a package containing information on
the Association and the products and services that were
available to the tournament directors for the 1999 season.

THE TIME IS NOW! The PCAWorldwide.com is addressing these
issues with the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Directors and received
positive response. On Friday the PCA Worldwide.com Cooling
Stations were available at the John Deere Classic for use
at the event on every other hole. A survey will be taken
as to the benefit of this product during the event; the
results will be published in a report within the month.
Any interested parties, who have in put, research or articles
on how the body reacts in extreme heat and what it takes
to maintain and recover Please contact the e-mail the PCA
at their site PCAWorldwide.com with your comments.

The PCA Worldwide plans to discuss this and other issues
when extreme heat conditions are present at TOUR events.
WHEN THE HEAT INDEX GETS OVER 98 Degrees GOLF TOURNAMENTS
MAY WANT TO LOOK THESE HEALTH RELATED ISSUES ALSO.
1. Lighter Bags 25# limit.
2. Before you loop, hydration required for caddies.
3. Foods and drinks to replace electrolytes and potassium
loss.
4. Light colored and mesh or no bibs.
5. Special PCA Climate Clothes. (designed to cool the body)
6. Special sunscreens and cancer preventing head gear.
7. PCA Worldwide.com Cooling Stations.
8. Provisions for inclement weather and lightening

We are collecting and preparing a report for interested
parties from doctors, nutritionists, writers and respected
individuals and companies addressing these issues. We would
appreciate any information and articles you may have that
can aid us in the very important project. Please contact
us ASAP. We all must do our part to help save the tradition
of caddying.

Contact us for more information on The PCA Personal, Portable
Air Cooler! Refreshing ultra-fine mist keeps you cool anywhere
you go! Cools the air up to 30°. Available in 2 sizes:
16 oz. or 24 oz. models Weighs as little as 2lbs. When filled.
Straps comfortably around the waist or over the shoulder.
Easy to use! Simply unscrew the cap, revealing the large
mouth water bottle. Fill with water and pump it up! Built-in
pump pressurizes the system. No Batteries, No Motors! Lasts
for hours! Insulated tank keeps water cold for hours. Lasts
up to 3 hours. Perfect for dry or humid climates. Includes
3 feet of flexible tube with clip for attaching to hat,
or whatever for hands free use! 16 oz. model fits on golf
cart our on your waist. Perfect for: Golf, Walking, Fishing
Hiking, Boating, Construction or anywhere, anytime you are
HOT!

-- A professional caddie group wants the PGA Tour to improve
on-course working conditions after one of its members collapsed
during the third round of the Western Open on Saturday.
Caddies should have the option of wearing shorts and carrying
lighter bags on days when the heat index, a gauge of temperature
and humidity, rises above 98 degrees, said Dennis Cone,
founder of the Orlando, Florida-based Professional Caddies
Association Worldwide.

``Weather is not the way it used to be and we need to be
able to adjust to the changes,'' Cone said. On Saturday,
Garland Dempsey, who caddies for PGA Tour player John Maginnes,
collapsed after his heart stopped while he was walking off
the 15th tee. While the exact cause hasn't been determined,
the temperature in Chicago reached 93 on Saturday and the
heat index hit 106. He's listed in fair condition at a Chicago-area
hospital.

Dempsey, 51, had also reportedly been taking medication
for his pancreas and gallbladder.

It was the second consecutive year a caddie collapsed during
the Western Open in Lemont, Illinois. Last year, a caddie
for Greg Kraft suffered heat stroke in the third round.
He was able to continue after being treated with intravenous
fluids. Since the caddie association's inception in 1996,
Cone has lobbied the PGA Tour to change a rule requiring
caddies to wear long pants at its events.

The U.S. Golf Association has allowed caddies to wear shorts
at its U.S. Open for the past three years. ``We need to
worry about the health of the caddies rather than just saying
`well, this is the way that it has always been done,'''
Cone said.

The PGA Tour said its rule has the backing of its golfers.
``The players have asked us to maintain the long pants rule
as an important part of the professional image of our sport,''
said Bob Combs, a PGA Tour spokesman.

The PGA Tour has recommended that tournament directors allow
caddies to wear lightweight mesh bibs during events. They've
also been told to make bibs optional when a heat advisory
is issued. Like at most PGA Tour events, Dempsey and other
caddies wore dark-colored cotton bibs during the Western
Open. Cone said a light-colored bib could help caddies keep
cool.

Caddies had the option of not wearing the bibs on Sunday
after a heat advisory was issued. Sunday's heat index reached
106. There was no heat advisory issued before play began
on Saturday.

After watching two caddies collapse at his event, Greg McLaughlin,
tournament director for the Western Open, said the PGA Tour
needs to reevaluate its policies, particularly when it comes
to shorts.

``I personally don't think it looks good when the caddies
wear shorts, but I think the Tour has to reconsider in extreme
situations,'' he said.

Cone has also suggested to PGA Tour officials that players
be required to lighten their bags, which often weigh as
much as 50 pounds, on hot days.

``There are players whose wives carry the light bags, so
we know it's not a big deal not to have that big bag,''
he said. Golf bags used by professionals are larger than
usual due to the amount of equipment and accessories needed.
Sponsors, who pay players to use bags with logos on them,
also prefer the larger bags. (c)1999 Bloomberg L.P. All
rights reserved.